Assistance programs in Union and Claiborne County.
Direct financial assistance
East Tennessee Human Resources Agency supports the needy and low income in Union and Claiborne County. A focus is on seniors, children, the unemployed, and others who may be facing a short term crisis. Examples of some of the resources offered for older adults and elderly citizens are below.
- The Senior Nutrition Program is available for persons age 60+ and their spouse. Receive either meals on wheels delivered to you or have a prepared hot, healthy meal at a congregate site.
- Senior Medicare Fraud Patrol will help people save money on medical bills. It reduces Medicare waste and abuse in Tennessee and will also help protect people from scams and suspicious claims.
- Legal Assistance for the Elderly is offered in partnership with Claiborne County non-profits and law firms. The main resource offered is known as Legal Assistance for the Elderly Program and this is focused on low income senior citizens age 60 or older. It will handle civil legal cases.
- They also partner with senior centers on the agency on aging. Read more on Agency on Aging senior help in TN.
Government commodities are available and can provide supplemental food to eligible, lower income households and families in Tennessee.
Emergency assistance/management is available from the Community Services Block Grant. This was designed to assist working poor and low-income participants. It can help people on an emergency basis and offer supplies and related services in an effort to help people overcome poverty.
Summer Food Program will ensure that students and teenagers have good, nutritious meals available to them during the summer when they do not have access to free or reduced price school lunches. It may have either breakfast or lunch. Parks, churches, and other charities in the region may provide the food and meals during the summer.
Low Income Home Energy Assistance, or LIHEAP, can help lower income and poor households in Claiborne and Union pay their heating and cooling bills. A focus is on those families with the lowest incomes and that pay a high proportion of their income for home energy bills. Many households are also signed up for weatherization at the same time which will help people reduce their fuel costs and help them save money on their bills. Phone (865) 691-2551, or click here for more on Tennessee LIHEAP.
HOME Services can include assistance with safety issues, including the preservation and rehabilitation of housing for low income families.
Housing Choice Voucher Program is a rental assistance program that is sponsored by the federal government. Vouchers can be used to subsidize a portion of your monthly rent and the assistance can be used by very low income families to maintain their housing.
Workforce Investment Program will help people find a job so that they can contribute to the economy in the way that they are most capable of. It is really a job training and employment program and the agency works with the Tennessee Career Center. It increases employment, retention, and earnings of clients by helping them obtain new skills. The quality of the local workforce can be greatly improved and WIA also reduces welfare dependency. Residents over 55 years of age have another option available to them and that is the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP).
The center can be reached at (865) 691-2551.
East TN Human Resource Agency may also have rent assistance for Claiborne County. If you are faced with a crisis, receive rent and mortgage assistance as well as funds for utility bills. Address is 310 Londonderry Road, Harrogate, TN 37752. Or call (423) 626-8187 for intake. Click here.
Catholic Charities of East Tennessee focuses on rent assistance and the homeless in the region. The charity will arrange short term transitional housing. Some of the apartments may shelter people for up to 24 months. Participants may be required to pay up to 30% of their income for the units. This will help people save, budget, and the money will also go towards the rent on their future, permanent housing. 703 East Jackson St, Jonesborough, Tennessee 37659. Phone (423) 753-3001
Community clinics for medical care
Dayspring Family Health Center - Cumberland River Clinic can help with medical bills and issues. Volunteer doctors and full time physicians are qualified to deliver to the uninsured and low income comprehensive primary family care. Services include family planning, adult internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrical care, minor surgery, laboratory testing, mental health care, nutritional counseling, and immunizations. Call (606) 549-2656 for intake, or read uninsured medical care.
Food banks and pantries in Claiborne and Union
Claiborne Hunger Ministry is based at 211 Montgomery, Tazewell, TN 37879. Call (423) 626-9004. Emergency food boxes, canned items, and fresh foods may be passed out to the less fortunate and lower income.
Open Arms Ministry will try to never turn anyone away. It provides free food and groceries for residents in Claiborne County and nearby towns. 1112 McGhee Lane, Jacksboro, Tennessee 37757. Call (423) 566-6723 for hours.
Hines Creek Missionary Baptist Church Food Pantry can be reached at (865) 992-7729.
Agape Center - First Baptist Church of Oak Ridge offers meals, groceries, and canned goods to low income families. (865) 483-4657
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